A complete guide to picking the perfect game mode for your group, situation, and skill level
ImpostrGames offers multiple themed game modes, each with its own word list and gameplay feel. While all modes use the same core rules, the theme you choose can dramatically impact the difficulty, enjoyment, and accessibility of your game session.
Before diving into specific modes, consider three key factors: your group's knowledge level, the age range of players, and whether your group shares common interests. These factors will help you narrow down which modes will work best.
Best for: Families with kids, mixed-age groups, younger players, casual game nights
Animals are familiar to everyone regardless of age, making this mode highly accessible. The word list includes common animals that most people know, so even young children can participate fully. This mode works great for family gatherings, classroom activities, or when you want a relaxed, low-pressure game session.
Best for: Family game nights, food lovers, relaxed gatherings, mixed knowledge levels
Everyone eats, so everyone has some knowledge of foods. This mode includes common dishes, ingredients, and cuisines that span different cultures and difficulty levels. It's perfect for family settings where you want everyone to feel included, and it often leads to fun conversations about favorite foods and cooking.
Best for: First-time players, mixed groups, flexible difficulty, any situation
The most flexible mode, General Imposter uses everyday words, objects, places, and concepts that anyone might know. This makes it perfect for groups where you're unsure about shared knowledge or interests. It's also great for first-time players since there are no specialized topics to navigate. The difficulty adapts naturally to your group's knowledge level.
Best for: Geography enthusiasts, classrooms, educational settings, travel lovers
Tests knowledge of world geography, countries, and cultures. This mode works well for geography fans, classrooms (great for learning!), or groups who enjoy travel and world knowledge. It's more challenging than Animal or Food Imposter but still accessible to most people with basic geography knowledge.
Best for: Clash Royale players, mobile game fans, competitive groups
Requires knowledge of Clash Royale characters, cards, and abilities. This mode is perfect if your group plays Clash Royale or knows the game well. It rewards deep knowledge of card mechanics, character abilities, and game terminology. Don't use this mode with people who don't know the game—they'll be at a significant disadvantage.
Best for: Superhero fans, comic book readers, Marvel/DC enthusiasts
Features DC and Marvel superheroes and supervillains. This mode works best if everyone in your group watches superhero movies or reads comics. It rewards knowledge of character powers, origins, teams, and storylines. Great for friend groups who share this interest, but avoid with people who don't know superheroes.
Best for: Stranger Things fans, TV show enthusiasts, Netflix watchers
Based on Stranger Things actors and characters. This mode is perfect if your group has watched the show and knows the cast and characters. It rewards knowledge of character relationships, storylines, and actor names. Only use this mode with people who are familiar with the show.
Best for: Basketball fans, NBA followers, sports enthusiasts
Tests knowledge of NBA teams, cities, conferences, and famous players. This mode works great for basketball fans who follow the league. It rewards knowledge of team locations, colors, rivalries, and star players. Perfect for sports-focused friend groups or basketball fans.
Best for: Soccer/football fans, Premier League followers, international football enthusiasts
Features football (soccer) teams from major leagues like Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and more. This mode is perfect for soccer fans who know teams, leagues, and famous clubs. It rewards knowledge of club names, cities, leagues, and star players. Great for international groups or football enthusiasts.
Best for: Themed parties, inside jokes, educational use, specific interests
Create your own word list for any topic. This mode is incredibly flexible—use it for themed parties (e.g., "Halloween costumes"), inside jokes (e.g., "memories from our trip"), classroom topics (e.g., "historical events"), or any topic your group knows well. Perfect when no existing mode matches your group's interests, or when you want to create a personalized experience.
Still not sure which mode to choose? Use this quick decision framework:
You don't have to stick to one mode all night. In fact, mixing modes often creates the best experience. Start with a more accessible mode (like General or Animal Imposter) to let everyone get comfortable with the rules, then switch to more specialized modes as the night goes on.
You can also rotate who chooses the mode each round, or vote on which mode to play next. This keeps things fresh and ensures everyone gets to play modes they enjoy. Some groups like to start with easier modes and gradually move to more challenging ones, while others prefer to switch randomly to keep players on their toes.
Remember: the goal is to have fun together. Don't worry too much about picking the "perfect" mode—most modes work well with most groups, and you can always switch if one mode isn't working.